ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Jiri Kulich won it for the Buffalo Sabres in overtime, but it was a two-minute period that sunk the Anaheim Ducks, 3-2, Friday night at home.
Holding a 2-0 lead, the Ducks gave up an unassisted goal to Alex Tuch with less than two minutes to go in the second period. Just 70 seconds later, Jason Zucker tied the score at 2. Neither team scored for the rest of regulation, and Kulich's goal with a minute left in overtime won it for Buffalo.
Ducks coach Greg Conin said the team still needs to shoot the puck more — on Friday, they were outshot by eight.
“It’s a strange mentality. It’s hard to get shots in the slot in the NHL, and we don’t shoot ‘em. I think if we do that, maybe we’ll get more goals,” Cronin said. “We gotta get a witch doctor in here or something to try and change their mindset.”
Ducks goalie John Gibson started his fourth game of the season and saved 30-of-32 shots.
The Ducks got their goals in the first and the second period. Defenseman Drew Helleson scored with four minutes left in the first, assisted by Leo Carlsson and Trevor Zegras.
The Ducks’ second goal was scored by Isac Lundestrom six minutes into the second, assisted by Ross Johnston and Olen Zellweger.
Anaheim is still playing without Mason McTavish, Robby Fabbri, Cam Fowler and Brock McGinn. They’ve called up Helleson (who’s had three points in four games since), center Jansen Harkins and wing Sam Colangelo from San Diego.
Colangelo and Harkins made up the fourth line with Johnston against Buffalo.
“Whether you’re coming up from San Diego or you’re a young guy just in and out of the lineup, I think when you’re watching the team have success playing a certain way, it’s just easy to catch on. It’s easy to get into a rhythm,” Johnston said. “It’s what is expected. We’re getting there. The consistency is coming. They’re finding it easier to play in the league as well.”
After the overtime loss, the Ducks picked up a point, but their overall season record fell to 8-8-3. They also broke a season-high three-game winning streak.
They’re seventh in the Pacific Division — two points behind the Seattle Kraken, their next opponent.
The Ducks will take on the Kraken Monday at 7 p.m.